Mary River (Maryborough)

The Mary River swings past the centre of Maryborough as a wide, tidal river, lined by parks, the old wharf precinct and the city's sailing club. It is still tidal here, well below the Mary River Barrage upstream, and the brown water hides grunter, threadfin, jacks and the southern end of Queensland's barramundi range. The bank at Queens Park puts deep water within a short cast of a park bench. It is the only fishing spot on this coast where the heritage walk counts as the approach track.

Fish the run-out and the bottom of the tide from the bank, when the river narrows and fish concentrate in the channel. Prawns, yabbies and fresh mullet strip on a running sinker take grunter and bream; threadfin and barramundi respond to vibes and soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom and the edges of snags. Jacks want lures cast tight to timber and rock walls around dusk in summer. Use heavier leader than you think — the snags here keep score.

Barred javelin (grunter) are 40 cm (10). Blue threadfin are 40 cm (10) and king threadfin 65 cm (5). Mangrove jack are 35 cm (5). Barramundi have a 58–120 cm slot and a possession limit of 5, and are closed 1 Nov–31 Jan — no take or possession of barramundi in that period. Yellowfin bream are 25 cm (combined 30) and dusky flathead 40–75 cm (5).

The barramundi closed season runs 1 Nov–31 Jan in Queensland's east coast waters; release any barra caught then straight away. Fishing is banned within 400 m upstream and downstream of the Mary River Barrage, well upstream of town, and of the Tinana Creek Barrage on the tributary — stay clear of both. The town reach is above the Great Sandy Marine Park, so standard Queensland gear rules apply: up to 3 lines and 6 hooks in total per person, staying with your lines. Never break or prune mangroves to reach the water.

Queens Park, on the river near the city centre, has parking, toilets, shade and a riverside path; the wharf precinct is a short walk downstream. Bank access is easy along the park. Some banks are steep and muddy at low tide, so pick a firm spot before dark.

The river is tidal through town, with a strong run on big tides. Wind matters less than in the bay, but rain matters a lot — a fresh in the Mary turns the river brown and pushes fish down toward the mouth. A clear river after a dry spell, with a falling tide at dusk, is the classic barra and jack window.

Bull sharks can be found in tidal rivers like the Mary, so don't wade or swim, and keep children back from the edge. Banks can be steep and muddy; watch your footing at low tide and after rain. The Mary floods — stay away from the river when it is running high.

Yes — the Mary is near the southern end of the barramundi's range. They are closed 1 Nov–31 Jan, and outside that the slot is 58–120 cm with a possession limit of 5.

From the banks at Queens Park and along the riverside near the wharf precinct. Fishing is banned within 400 m either side of the Mary River Barrage upstream.

No licence is needed for the tidal Mary River. A Stocked Impoundment Permit is only needed for some stocked dams, not here.